14+ Recipes for Leftover Ham (2024)

FAQs

How long is cooked ham good for in the fridge? ›

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ham is good for three to five days in the refrigerator after it is cooked. If you need more time to use up those leftovers, ham will last up to two months in the freezer. The USDA also recommends wrapping up leftovers well.

Whole cured hams last in the refrigerator for up to a week. However, fresh ham only lasts a few days in the refrigerator, about three or four once you've cooked it. It doesn't matter if the ham is whole or sliced; the lack of preservatives allows it to spoil more quickly.

If you purchased a cured or smoked ham and you cooked it for your Christmas dinner, you can keep the leftovers for four days in the fridge. If you can freeze them in a sealed container or freezer bag, they will keep for three months.

Is Ham Bad for Dogs? Ham is not toxic to dogs, but it's also not a healthy treat for them. So if your pup eats a little piece that fell to the floor, they should be totally fine. But feeding ham to your dog as a regular snack can cause some long-term health issues.

An uncooked, cut country ham can be refrigerated for two to three months or frozen for one month. A cooked Country Ham should be refrigerated for seven days and or frozen for one month. Freezer storage time is for quality only. Frozen hams remain safe indefinitely.

An “off” texture: One of the first signs of spoilage is best described as a texture that just looks weird. If your ham appears dully or somewhat slimy, it's likely that the early stages of spoilage have kicked in. Unpleasant odor: The nose always knows.

A slimy or sticky texture Ham should have a soft and moist texture, but it won't leave any wet or greasy residue behind on your skin. Slimy ham is a sign of bacterial growth, so don't consume it if it's wet or oily. Some bacteria may cause ham to become sticky, too.

The best way to determine how long your ham will keep in the refrigerator is to check the packaging and throw it away if it is past the expiration date. Once the packaging or wrap on your ham is open, you should consume it within five days.

Both plastic-wrapped and vacuum-packaged hams must be refrigerated. A plastic-wrapped ham will keep about one week. A vacuum-packaged ham should be consumed by the “use by” date or within 1 week after the “sell by” date. Both plastic-wrapped and vacuum-packaged hams can be frozen.

How long will a Honey Baked Ham last in the refrigerator? ›

How long can I keep my Honey Baked ham or turkey breast in the refrigerator? Once thawed, your Honey Baked Ham will stay fresh for 7 to 10 days and the Honey Baked Turkey Breast will stay fresh for 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator.

Can you eat ham after 7 days? If you store it properly, fresh, uncured ham can last up to 3 to 5 days. On the other, cured and uncooked ham lasts about 5 to 7 days or until its beyond-use date. Keep the ham in its original packaging until you're ready to use it to maximize its shelf life.

Most ham will last about five days in the fridge

The outlet notes that cured and fully cooked spiral hams that have been opened and cooked at home will stay fresh in the refrigerator for three to five days afterward, while country ham lasts up to a full week.

Eating expired ham may not make you sick, but it could taste unpleasant and it may not be safe. Consuming expired ham could potentially lead to food poisoning if the meat is contaminated with harmful bacteria. Symptoms of food poisoning may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Place the ham on a rack in a large baking pan and add about 1/4- to 1/2 inch of water to the pan. If the ham is labeled "fully cooked" (does not require heating), heat it in the oven for about 10 minutes per pound, or to an internal temperature of 140 F.

The goal is to reheat the ham without drying it out. The best way to do this is to place the ham on a rack in a roasting pan. Add water to the bottom of the pan and cover the whole thing tightly with foil. Bake at 325F for 16-20 minutes per pound, until a meat thermometer registers 135F.

You can freeze delicious ham and it'll last for weeks before you need to use it. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that fully cooked frozen ham is safe to eat for up to one to two months. If you find yourself with leftover ham, freezing it for future use is both easy and convenient.

Here's the good news: You can absolutely freeze cooked ham. In fact, many hams are cured and/or smoked, which were old-school (and still beloved) ways to preserve food for later use. Ham can be stored in the freezer for up to four months, according to USDA food safety guidelines.